Skeeters travel to York after season-best homestand

Jack Marrion

Published 8:36 am, Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Photo: Craig Moseley

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Sugar Land Skeeters outfielder Rene Tosoni hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning for a 10-9 win in game two of the Atlantic League Freedom Division Series. The Skeeters head to York with a 2-0 series lead. less

Sugar Land Skeeters outfielder Rene Tosoni hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning for a 10-9 win in game two of the Atlantic League Freedom Division Series. The Skeeters head to York with a 2-0 series ... more

Photo: Craig Moseley

Skeeters travel to York after season-best homestand

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The Sugar Land Skeeters have made notable progress during the second half of the Atlantic League season, already closing in on their win total from the first half. After its most productive homestand of 2016, the team departed for York playing its best baseball of the season.

The Skeeters (28-16 second half, 63-51 overall) won six of seven games at Constellation Field last week, sweeping a four-game series from Lancaster and taking two of three from Long Island, the only loss coming in 10 innings. They have won seven of their last nine series and reached a season-best mark in games above .500.

Sugar Land begins a three-game series at York on Aug. 23. The Revolution (24-18) trail the Skeeters by three games in the Freedom Division second-half race. York, the league leader with a 64-48 overall record, clinched a playoff berth with its first-half division title.

The Skeeters are in strong position for a playoff berth. If they are passed by York for first place in the division race, they have an opportunity to advance based on overall record which currently ranks second in the league. Sugar Land leads the wild-card race, holding a nine-game edge on New Britain with 26 remaining.

The Skeeters outscored opponents 42-17 during their latest homestand despite losing pitcher Jake Hale to injury and infielder Ricky Hague from the lineup, though Hague contributed a home run, four runs, four RBI and two stolen bases in 16 at-bats.

The Skeeters pitching staff was exceptional, with six starters posing a 2.78 ERA in 35 2/3 innings and the bullpen dominating with a 1.78 in 25 1/3 innings. Robbie Weinhardt and Ryan Mattheus spearheaded the relief effort, combining for 9 1/3 shutout innings, nine strikeouts, zero walks, five hits allowed and two victories.

Sugar Land received shutout performances from Brett Marshall and Sean Gallagher that fell just short of the innings requirement (six) for a quality start. Aaron Thompson allowed one run in six innings, fanning six, in game one of the Aug. 18 doubleheader against Lancaster swept by the Skeeters.

The homestand ended with a familiar face on the mound as Michael Nix made his season debut with six strong frames in an 11-1 rout of Long Island. Nix has now pitched for the Skeeters at least once during all five seasons in franchise history, bringing an 18-15 record, 3.38 ERA and 237 innings in his Sugar Land career into his latest appearance.

The Skeeters displayed their power and speed during the homestand, swatting seven home runs and stealing 13 bases. Jesse Barfield led the lineup batting .385 in 26 at-bats with two home runs, two doubles and eight runs scored.

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Rene Tosoni drove in a team-high seven runs, adding a home run and three steals. Travis Scott hit .381 with a home run and four RBI in 21 at-bats. The catching tandem of Wilfredo Rodriguez and Albert Cordero continues to thrive, combining to bat .400 with four doubles, six runs and six RBI in 25 at-bats during the homestand.

The Skeeters play three at York and start another three-game series Aug. 26 at Southern Maryland. They return to Constellation Field on Aug. 29 to begin a seven-game stand against New Britain and Lancaster.